Alsace-Lorraine

In eastern France, Alsace is the most German of all French provinces. When Louis XIV first saw it, he called it "a beautiful garden," referring to the region between the Rhine Valley and the Vosges mountains. Capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is one of France's greatest cities, lying 303 miles (488 km) southeast of Paris. It is also the capital of pâté de foie gras. In June of every year, the artistic life of Strasbourg reaches its zenith at the International Music Festival. Strasbourg is not only a great university city, but also the seat of the Council of Europe, and one of France's most important ports, lying two miles west of ...

In eastern France, Alsace is the most German of all French provinces. When Louis XIV first saw it, he called it "a beautiful garden," referring to the region between the Rhine Valley and the Vosges mountains. Capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is one of France's greatest cities, lying 303 miles (488 km) southeast of Paris. It is also the capital of pâté de foie gras. In June of every year, the artistic life of Strasbourg reaches its zenith at the International Music Festival. Strasbourg is not only a great university city, but also the seat of the Council of Europe, and one of France's most important ports, lying two miles west of the Rhine. The neighboring province of Lorraine is the birthplace of both quiche and Joan of Arc. In the northeastern corner of France, about 230 miles (370 km) from Paris, Nancy was the capital of old Lorraine. On the Meurthe River, it is serenely beautiful, with a historic tradition, a cuisine, and an architecture all its own. Nancy has a kind of triple face - the medieval alleys and towers around the old Ducal Palace where Charles VII received Joan of Arc, the golden gates and frivolous fountains of the rococo period, and the constantly spreading modern sections with their university and booming industry.

About the Expert

Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince have written many guidebooks for Frommer's, including Frommer's France and Frommer's Germany.